Our voice: We're thankful for transitions ... and a chance to grow

Kids graduate from high school early for a variety of reasons. Rylee Smith's faux graduation is the exception to the usual set of circumstances.

Her mother wants to see it.

And she likely won't be here when Rylee walks with the rest of her Kiona-Benton City High School Class in 2015.

Our gratitude is split on this front. We are grateful that the Kiona-Benton community came together to fulfill a dying mother's wish.

We also are moved by people who plow ahead through terribly sad circumstances. For people who dream and plan and work, even when the odds are against them.

Congratulations to Rylee. We'll be looking forward to seeing her cross the stage -- again -- with the rest of the Class of 2015.

Butterfly effect

Some work is mundane and some is meaningful, but always it drives back idleness and moves us forward.

We all benefit by having something to do each day. That may be especially true for the incarcerated.

However, there is a certain irony that men behind bars are raising insects frequently associated with freedom.

Irony, and perhaps, inspiration.

It takes patience to raise anything, be it a caterpillar, a carrot or a child. Patience is something all of us could use more of. At the same time, it is rewarding to care for living things and see them grow.

Hats off to the scientists and prison administrators who allow inmates at the Washington State Penitentiary to participate in the meaningful work of studying butterfly migration patterns.

There is also, perhaps, significance that the "butterfly effect" is a term used to describe the often invisible interconnections that create the framework of society. One man's actions affect countless others.

It's a life lesson that 30 years behind bars may instill in a person. Just another something we can learn from nature.

CREHSTing

Sometimes when people are in a time of transition, they coast, hunker down and wait for the next big thing.

We're intrigued that at the same time the CREHST museum is winding down, it's adding hours to its schedule.

It's not a bad idea. Especially if it's not going to cost anything more.

Museum officials are hoping to attract some business from tour boats. It might work.

But it also makes the museum more accessible to locals -- locals who will have to be repeat visitors to the new Hanford Reach Interpretive Center for it to be successful.

We have a rich history. It's worth sharing with others and reviewing ourselves.